BEREA, Ohio — Just hours after closing their practice facility again after another one of their players tested positive for the coronavirus, the Browns got some better news on the health front Thursday.
The team has activated offensive lineman Chris Hubbard from its reserve/COVID-19 list. The 29-year-old had missed the last two games, and while the organization was not allowed to confirm it, it is widely believed he actually contracted the virus as he was the only name to appear on the aforementioned list immediately after a positive test was announced.
Hubbard is in his third season in Cleveland, and was the club's starting right tackle the last two years. He was relegated to a role as the team's top backup offensive lineman following the signing of free agent Jack Conklin, but has filled in nicely in 2020 with four starts at right guard in place of an injured Wyatt Teller.
Hubbard is now expected to be available for the Browns next game this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His activation still leaves four players on Cleveland's reserve/COVID-19 list, with at least three--Myles Garrett, Andy Janovich, and Sione Takitaki--assumed to have tested positive. Joe Jackson is also on the list, but details about his status have been more vague. All four will miss this weekend's matchup.
Prior to the news about Hubbard, the Browns also announced today that another player has contracted the coronavirus. It is not known who that player is, but the team is currently doing all of its business remotely while contact tracing takes place.
